Now is the best time for students to join UIL.
UIL or University Interscholastic League has been active since its founding in 1910. Ruthie Acosta is the director of academic UIL on campus and also runs one of the many different subjects, accounting- where students learn the principles of the profession like bookkeeping terms, payroll, income statements, and bank reconciliation.
“I think it’s a great way to meet people to have that interaction with people before [and] after school,” Acosta said. “And I think it’s extremely beneficial- not only academically- because you are practicing math or computer science or current events, something that you may not have known that you liked.”
There’s a broad range of subjects offered by the program, but the two most popular among students at Johnson are math and social studies/current events.
“We have Mr. Felux for social studies, and those categories, which is like current events and stuff. We have Ms. Martinez who does the math. She’s also taking on science this year since we lost our science person- so we’re currently looking for a science coach,” Acosta said. “Ms. Whitfield does English- the writing and of course, when it comes to like- the music, the choir, all that area, where all like the band is and stuff even though they’re part of UIL…they kind of do their own thing.”
To join UIL, students don’t have to audition or meet any requirements.
“They just come in and they go talk to the teacher, find out whenever they have their meeting times, and they just start practicing,” Acosta said.
“If you can’t make you know one or two of the meetings- as most of the time we think that they meet twice a week,” Acosta said. “And so yeah, so it’s not technically mandatory because of course you can practice at home, but having that teacher or that coach with you when you have questions is super helpful.”
According to Acosta, attending meets is really enjoyable for students and is a great outlet for them to practice their skills and meet new people- especially because she never remembered knowing about it when she was in high school.
“They’re helpful with each other, they’re… go getters, they’re, you know, kids top of the class most of the time, and I just think that it would be a great opportunity for anybody to get involved in,” Acosta said.
